was not prepared to make any effort to accept the inevitable? He
was still deep in thought when Berenice came out.

"What are you doing there all by yourself?" she asked. "Where is your
wife?"

"She has gone to get a hat," he answered. "We thought of going to the
club for _dejeuner_."

She nodded.

"A delightful idea," she said. "Do invite me, and I will take you in the
car. Mrs. Mannering likes motoring, I know."

"Of course!" he said. "We shall be delighted!"

She beckoned to her chauffer, who was in the courtyard. Just then Blanche
came out. She had changed her gown for one of plain white serge, and she
wore a hat of tuscan straw which Mannering had once admired.

"You won't mind motoring, Mrs. Mannering?" Berenice said, as she
approached. "I have invited myself to luncheon with you, and I am going
to take you round to the club in the car."

Blanche stood quite still for a moment. The sun was in her eyes, and she
lowered her parasol for a moment.

"It will be very pleasant," she said, quietly, "only I think that I will
go in and change my hat. I thought that we were going to walk."

She retraced her steps, walking a little wearily. Berenice came and sat
down by Mannering's side.

"I hope Mrs. Mannering does not object to my coming," she said. "It
occurred to me that she was not particularly cordial."

"It is only her manner," he answered. "It is very good of you to take
us."

"Your wife doesn't like me," Berenice said. "I wonder why. I thought that
I had been rather decent to her."

"Blanche is a little odd," Mannering answered. "I am afraid that it is my
fault. Here are the Redfords. I wonder if they would join us."

"Three," she murmured, "is certainly an awkward number."

In the end the party became rather a large one, for Lord Redford met some
old friends at the club who insisted upon their joining tables. In the
interval, whilst they waited for luncheon, Mannering contrived to have
a word alone with his wife.

"I am not responsible," he said, "for this enlargement of our party. The
Duchess invited herself."

"It does not matter," she declared, listlessly. "What are you doing
afterwards?"

"Playing golf, I fancy," he answered. "You heard what Redford said about
a foursome."

"And you are returning--when?"

"I must leave here at six to-morrow morning."

They were leaning over the white palings of the pavilion, looking out
upon the last green. She seemed to be watching the approach of t